KINGSTON – Municipalities and counties across the region are offering various forms of early retirement incentives to their employees with an eye toward reducing their overall workforce costs.
The City of Kingston is the latest to look at such a plan. Mayor Steven Noble would like the common council to consider offering eligible retirees dental and vision coverage to those who would meet the requirements, notify the city of their intention to retire by August 1 and leave city employment by December 31.
“We do believe that the cost is manageable for us in the long term and this would help us reduce some members of our workforce so hopefully this year as well as going into the 20-21 budget and if we get enough employees to participate in that, it could help keep at bay any permanent layoffs that we need to take,” he said.
City Comptroller John Tuey said as many as 36 city CSEA employees would be eligible at a cost per employee of $900 per year.
The city council will formally take up the plan in July.
